STAFF were threatened and tied up by armed robbers at a supermarket.
At about 6.45am on Sunday morning, staff at the Co-operative supermarket in Station Road, Chingford, were preparing to open up the shop when they were threatened by two robbers with a gun.
The pair entered at back of the building near the Co-op car park in Richmond Road and, armed with a black handgun, threatened two male members of staff and demanded cash.
The robbers then tied the victims up in an office, along with a Co-op lorry driver who had been making a delivery to the store.
They stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing in an old model light blue Renault Clio.
No one was injured during the incident, but the store manager, Zhur Vazifdar, said the two employees, one in his twenties and the other in his forties, are both very shaken up.
He said they have not returned to work and will not be returning "until further notice" while they recover from the ordeal.
The store, which was due to open at 8am, was cordoned off by police and remained closed until 6pm while forensic evidence was collected.
No arrests have been made and the Met Police's flying squad, which specialises in armed robberies and crime, continue to investigate.
A spokeswoman for The Co-operative said: “Staff were threatened and a quantity of cash and cigarettes was stolen.
“The staff members on duty were uninjured but very badly shaken.
“Police are investigating and have CCTV footage of the incident. We would appeal for anyone with information to come forward and contact the Police.”
The suspects are both black and concealed their faces.
Suspect one, who was armed with the hand gun, is described as being about 5ft 5ins tall, wearing black combat trousers and a grey hooded top, with the hood pulled over his head.
Suspect two is described as being about 5ft 5ins tall and spoke with a local accent.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 8345 4248 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
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